There are times that life just gets in the way of writing. You can plan out a schedule to make your writing life work with your day job. But then life throws you a curve ball. This July I was hit with several.

I live on a small hobby farm, and we have pet goats and horses. I’m sure most people have heard the saying “Make hay while the sun shines.” That has never been more difficult than this year because the rain just keeps coming. Now in a farming area, you do want rain. However, there need to be a few breaks for the hay to be cut, flipped, and baled. But wet hay is dangerous hay, especially in a barn. We finally had a short break the week after July 4th. The neighbor who cuts and splits the hay with us was able to get to work our hay fields. This meant long days at work and then stacking hay until nearly 2:00 am two nights in a row. Horses and goats that are bedded down before 10:00 pm are not happy with such short nights. Of course, neither were we.

But life is what gives one experiences to spin and share in stories. So, the next time some says, “Have I got a story to tell you,” listen. Life’s unexpected moments will add something special to your stories.

This year’s hay adventures may be making their way into a story that I will soon be telling you.